buttocks
UK: ˈbʌtəks | US: ˈbʌtəks
n. The two rounded portions of the human body located at the lower rear, consisting of the gluteal muscles and surrounding tissue.
buttocks = butt<base, thick end> + ock<diminutive suffix> + s<plural suffix>
- butt<base, thick end>: From Old English butt (stump, end of a thing), related to Middle Dutch bot (stumpy). Originally referred to the thicker or blunt end of an object.
- ock<diminutive suffix>: A diminutive suffix in Middle English, often used to form nouns (e.g., hillock). Here, it softens the base meaning.
- s<plural suffix>: Standard English plural marker.
Etymology Origin:
The word buttocks evolved from butt, which originally described the blunt end of an object (like a barrel or tree stump). The addition of -ock (a diminutive) likely softened the term to refer to the rounded, fleshy part of the body. The plural -s reflects its dual anatomical structure. Over time, the term shifted from describing objects to specifically denoting the human posterior.
She slipped on the ice and landed hard on her buttocks.
The doctor examined the rash on the patient’s buttocks.
Tight clothing can cause discomfort around the buttocks.
He leaned against the wall, resting his buttocks on the edge of the table.
The toddler giggled as she wiggled her buttocks while dancing.